Other events in Baltic States

Latvian national basketball team lost to France 51-60 (8-13, 13-3, 16-25, 14-19) in their second Group B game at the European Basketball Championship in Poland's Gdansk on Tuesday. Lithuania lost to Poland 75:86 (23:25, 9:17, 18:18, 25:26).

Kaspars Kambala was the highest scorer for the Latvian team with 18 points and seven rebounds, Kristaps Janicenoks scored 12 points and Andris Biedrins had six points and 20 rebounds, informs LETA.

Tony Parker scored 23 points for France and Ali Traore added 12.

The first two quarters were marked by rather abysmal field-goal percentage from both teams, for instance, neither of the teams scored a single point the first four minutes in the second quarter. For the French, the Latvian defense apparently posed a significant problem, and the Latvians often could not get past the defense of the French team either.

In the third quarter, the Latvians broke away with several three-pointers from Janicenoks, a layup by Kambala and a slam dunk by Biedrins. Midway through the third quarter, the Latvians were ten points ahead but then started making unnecessary errors, and at the end of the fourth quarter the French were already in the lead, 41-37.

The French further increased their advantage in the fourth quarter, and the final result was a 60-51 win for France.

In another Group B match today, Germany beat Russia 76-73.

As reported, in the first Group B game on Monday, Latvia was defeated by Russia 68-81, whereas France beat Germany 70-65.

In the final Group B games on Wednesday, Latvia will play Germany, and Russia will play France. Three best teams in the group will advance to the qualifying round.